Monday Memo 1148: Purpose Wisdom

If God appeared to you and asked you what you wanted Him to give you, what would you ask for? Money? A car? A house? A spouse? That actually happened to a young man as we read in 1 Kings 3:5: "That night the Lord appeared to him [Solomon] in a dream and asked him, “What would you like me to give you?" As we finish this series titled "Never Too Young for Purpose," let's see how Solomon responded:

Solomon answered, “You always showed great love for my father David, your servant, and he was good, loyal, and honest in his relation with you. And you have continued to show him your great and constant love by giving him a son who today rules in his place. O Lord God, you have let me succeed my father as king, even though I am very young and don't know how to rule. Here I am among the people you have chosen to be your own, a people who are so many that they cannot be counted. So give me the wisdom I need to rule your people with justice and to know the difference between good and evil. Otherwise, how would I ever be able to rule this great people of yours?” (1 Kings 3:5-9).

Most Bible scholars believe Solomon was about 20 years of age. That's pretty young to be the king of a nation. Let's say you are 15 years old when you are reading this. That would mean in five years you are going to be the leader responsible for millions of people. How would that make you feel? While it may be exciting, it would also be a pretty big responsibility that could cause you to be anxious or worried.

While you may never lead a country, God has chosen you to be a leader. How do I know that? I know because you have a purpose and when you know and live your purpose, you will eventually lead as you express that purpose. It may be in medicine or sports or in the field of entertainment, but I am confident you will lead because God is with you and has given you the gifts that set you apart from others. That is no reason to be proud or arrogant, but that should humble you and cause you to recognize that you will need God's help to do what it is He created you to do.

Solomon was young, and when he was given the chance to lead, he didn't see it as a chance to be important or rich. He saw it as an opportunity to serve God and help many people. And knowing that, he knew he wasn't capable of handling it. That's why he prayed for wisdom. Another translation says he asked for a "listening heart." As you flow in your purpose, you should listen for God's voice and wisdom, for you are not alone. God is with you. He will speak to you through others, through His Word, and through His still, gentle voice inside of you where He resides in the power of His Spirit.

God needs more young men and women like Solomon who aren't afraid of being leaders at a young age, but who also know that if they are going to lead successfully, they need God's help. What are you asking God to do for you? To give you? I would recommend that you be like Solomon and ask for listening-heart wisdom. Then when you ask, remember what Jesus' brother wrote in the New Testament:

But if any of you lack wisdom, you should pray to God, who will give it to you; because God gives generously and graciously to all? But when you pray, you must believe and not doubt at all. Whoever doubts is like a wave in the sea that is driven and blown about by the wind. If you are like that, unable to make up your mind and undecided in all you do, you must not think that you will receive anything from the Lord (James 1:5-8).

Ask for wisdom and watch for God's answer, for He promises it will come. Then have the faith to apply what you hear in the company of other people who are leading with you as you walk out their purpose. God wants you to know your purpose. He wants you to succeed. He will never leave you alone and His words to you as we close are those He spoke to Joshua when Joshua was about to become the leader of Israel:

"I will always be with you; I will never abandon you? Be determined and confident, for you will be the leader of these people as they occupy this land which I promised their ancestors. Just be determined, be confident; and make sure that you obey the whole Law that my servant Moses gave you. Do not neglect any part of it and you will succeed wherever you go" (Joshua 1:5-7).

Thank you for your attention as we walked through this series and I hope by now you realize that you are never too young (or too old) to fulfill the purpose God has for you. Trust Him that He will be true to His promise not to leave or forsake you, and you will be like the people we have studied in this book. They were young, but God used them in a powerful way and He will do the same for you. Have a blessed week.